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Sounds like you're finding your way into the customization that you need to do. The Synopsis tool operates from pre-defined .sdf files, and editing those files is the only way to make adjustments. But they are quite editable, esp. the opening parameters, as you've discovered. I've got one called aland-nrs_grk.sdf, and its opening lines are:
/Versions GNT GNT GNT GNT
/Display GNT NRS

This gives me the Greek and the English in each gospel column. Of course you can plug in ESV or any version you want for the display. (I also just edited the above to replace GNT with BNT.) When you make changes, choose File > Save, and if you want to you can save it under a new name. This way you can have quite a variety of display options in the Synopsis tool; but you do have to load a different one every time you want to see it.

If you want to change the sequence of Greek and English in the display, that (I discover) is controlled elsewhere. In the main BW window, do Tools > Options, then under Bible Versions select Version Order. Here you can gain complete control over the sequence of versions in any multi-version window/column. Just put your preferred Greek version at the top, and it will also display first in each of the gospel columns in the Synopsis tool.

Morten, you're right about the awkwardness of having the Bible versions "stacked" vertically in long passages in the Synopsis tool; and about how convenient it would be to switch versions quickly.

Perhaps what you're talking about would be a blend of the Parallel Versions and Synopsis tools. The Parallel Versions tool shows different versions side-by-side, and allows you to change the current version with a drop-down menu; but it doesn't link the current passage to its synoptic parallels. I have no idea how much reprogramming would be needed to create this combination, but it would be a definite boon.

OTOH, the current structure of the Synopsis tools allows the creation of new synopses very easily, for instance, of Colossians and Ephesians, or of a few related passages from the gospels (I did one for an article I was working on about the cleansing of the temple).

Hi David,
Yes exactly, it is something like that, I would love to see. I agree the the synopsis tool is very flexible and that is not to be lost. On the whole, BW is such a flexible and powerful tool!
Morten